In a significant boost to India’s clean energy ambitions, Tata Power, in collaboration with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the International Growth Centre (IGC), has launched the Energy Insights & Innovation Lab (EIIL). The initiative was formally unveiled on December 26 at Tata Power’s headquarters in Mumbai.
The London-backed research lab is designed to support India’s clean energy transition by combining cutting-edge research, real-world data, and large-scale experimentation to improve the quality, reliability, and affordability of electricity services across the country.
A strategic research partnership
The launch of EIIL was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Tata Power, LSE, and IGC. The agreement outlines a long-term collaboration to co-develop scalable, evidence-based solutions for India’s power sector, drawing on global best practices and academic expertise.
Tata Power, one of India’s largest vertically integrated power companies, said the lab would serve as a bridge between research and implementation—helping policymakers, utilities, and regulators address the increasingly complex challenges facing the electricity ecosystem.
Addressing key challenges in India’s power sector
The Energy Insights & Innovation Lab aims to tackle some of the most pressing issues confronting India’s electricity network, including:
- Managing rising peak electricity demand, particularly in urban centres
- Enabling deeper integration of renewable energy while maintaining grid stability
- Improving grid resilience and reliability
- Supporting India’s net-zero and climate commitments without compromising affordability
As India rapidly expands solar, wind, and distributed energy resources, balancing supply and demand has become a critical concern. EIIL is expected to play a key role in identifying solutions that allow renewables to scale without placing excessive strain on local networks.
Using data, behavioural science, and technology
A core focus of the lab will be the application of consumer behavioural science, advanced data analytics, and energy systems modelling. EIIL plans to run applied pilot projects that use smart meter data and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to test demand-side management strategies in real-world settings.
One area of exploration will be how behavioural insights and digital tools can help smooth or shift peak electricity demand in households—reducing stress on distribution networks while preserving consumer comfort and convenience.
By analysing how consumers respond to pricing signals, information, and technology-enabled nudges, the lab hopes to design interventions that are both effective and socially acceptable.
Toward a full-scale innovation hub
The collaboration partners have indicated that EIIL is envisioned as more than a research initiative. Over time, the lab is expected to expand into a full-scale innovation hub, supported by enhanced funding, deeper institutional partnerships, and a broader mandate.
Future areas of work are likely to include:
- Support for tariff design and regulatory approvals
- Enabling consumer flexibility in electricity usage
- Integrating distributed renewable energy systems
- Advancing energy equity to ensure a just transition
By grounding policy and operational decisions in robust evidence, the partners believe the lab can help shape a more resilient and inclusive power system for India.
Supporting India’s clean energy goals
With electricity demand rising and decarbonisation becoming an urgent priority, initiatives like the Energy Insights & Innovation Lab highlight the growing role of international academic collaboration in India’s energy transition.
By bringing together industry expertise, global research institutions, and data-driven experimentation, the new lab aims to ensure that India’s shift toward clean energy is not only rapid—but also reliable, affordable, and consumer-focused.
